From Test Drive to Owning Duke. Review on KTM Duke 200

This is not a technical review as I am not automobile engineer, you will get specs of this bike in almost all the auto websites, so I am not giving that details.   After reading couple of reviews about both Duke and NS 200, went to Bajaj showroom at Kondapur, Hyderabad.   Since I sold my Thunderbird recently I was looking for a bike desperately, and then came biggest disappointment of my life, stock is not available for NS 200, since there is some problem, either strike or some redesign; I do not want to go about it in detail as this is review about Duke.

Immediately the next day, I went to KTM showroom in Jubilee Hills Hyderabad, and did test drive of this Bike.  I was having some predefined apprehensions about this bike, as its costly compared to NS 200 and initially I felt it’s not worth that extra 50odd K INR. But trust me; it’s a true value for Money.

Pros 1) Its lightweight, with great stability and road grip, with very good company fitted tires, MRF Rev Z.

2) Awesome pickup and highest power to weight ratio.

3) I own a black one, so it’s definitely eye turner, whether you are standing in red signal, or parked your bike, I got lot of people coming and enquiring about it(it’s a plus for me at least:)

4) Power packed engine, with fuel injection(more about it you can get in tech spec section of any auto website) 5) Very friendly sales staff of Jubilee Hills Varun Motors(KTM SHOWROOM).

6) Very agile in typical city traffic, and if you want to do signal to signal race this is bike you must have, its superior pickup leaves behind all other bikes in(same category).

Cons 1) Heat waves coming near engine, and if you happen to wear shorts and ride on it, probably it’s very uncomfortable.

2) This is not suitable for pillion riders, Ladies wearing Sarees(side sitting) is strict NO NO.  I feel this is good for solo riding(I know my wife will not like it:).

3) Probably this comes at premium cost and most of the common masses will be dragged towards NS 200 even though Duke being technologically superior bike.

11-Aug-2013: Today it has been a week since I own this beast. I use to have Thunderbird 350, although both bikes are of different categories and leaders on their own, I can say this. Duke is definitely more agile, because of its weight, you can drive easily in city traffic.

What I read in reviews is true, although I am not professional race driver, but in any signal to signal cruising, it leaves all the comparables bikes behind. It has decent headlights, which gives ample visibility during night driving. The switches has inbuilt lights, which illuminates on switching on parking lights, and this is quite useful.

Instrument(all digital) although initially seems bit confusing once you are used to it, you can get all the useful information, in one screen, like trip meter, avg speed, clock, and other information. Generally I use bikes sparingly, but since I bought duke, I almost forgot my car and using it, will come back with more updates after couple of weeks.

Apr 2015:

After using the duke, although the bike is good, I somehow felt, its not suitable for 35+, who generally like cruing zing bikes, and hence sold it off.    Saying this, whatever I mentioned above still holds good.

9th Aug 2015:

I sold this bike after using for 1 and half years approximately. Reason is this is ideally suited for college going students/youth. After 39yrs Plus, am not enjoying this bike anymore